MICK McCarthy has vowed to be the calmest man in Wolverhampton this Sunday - insisting the real pressure is on his play-off rivals because they have everything to lose.

The Wolves boss will focus only on making sure his team beat Plymouth at Molineux, and let Crystal Palace and Watford do the worrying.

McCarthy knows that even victory does not guarantee a top-six spot, but realises Wolves have to do their job to even stand a chance of sneaking into the play-offs.

The level-headed Yorkshireman says he will check results elsewhere at the final whistle to see if Wolves' season has been reignited.

McCarthy has been around long enough to know there is little point in building up his hopes this weekend until one of the most competitive Championship seasons has finished.

Should Wolves make it into the play-offs then they have a chance of joining Albion in the Premier League.

But shrewd McCarthy refuses to look that far ahead.

"I'm not feeling all excited and dramatic at the moment but I guess when we come back in tomorrow then it will be felt a bit keener," he said.

"I still don't see why we should be getting all wrapped up about it, we just need to win a game. We have to concentrate on beating Plymouth, because if we don't then it makes no odds whatever happens.

"I don't see any reason to get carried away or upset, or any other emotion that people seem to want to generate.

"There's less pressure on us than there is on Watford or Crystal Palace, they're in the play-off spots and there's only them can mess it up. We can win one game and we can't get into the top six in our own right - but they can lose it.

"We could win and still be out of it. But we are in a very fortunate position in terms that we can't throw it away.

"We're not going into it thinking 'we could lose this. Of course, I'd sooner be top of the table but at the moment in terms of the psychological aspect of it, there's no point in us getting uptight."

McCarthy knows Watford's play-off bid is faltering but says he is only concerned with how his team plays.

He is more worried about what plans Plymouth have of spoiling a Wolves' revival.

"Watford losing at the weekend certainly helped, I'd sooner have two teams to catch than one. It increases the odds of getting into the play-offs," said McCarthy.

"Let's just worry about Plymouth, nothing else. I will not change that mantra.

"I've been here nearly two years, if you know me by now then you'll know my approach to the game is like this all the time. Not just now.

"I don't get rocking drunk when we've won and I don't break down and cry if we lose. I've been round the block once or twice, there's no point.''